Page 12 of My Haven (Bewitched and Bewildered #16)

She pointed her fork at him. “This isn’t a matter of saying snarky shit or jaywalking.

Thousands of years ago, y’all lost your king and queen and got the Elder Council right?

They were cool and low key. Then the Witches’ Council came along and undercut the Elder Council.

Isn’t that like the paranormal version of treason or something?

You should have axed those assholes when they got uppity. ”

Caiden stared. When put like that it made all the sense in the world, but he had never second-guessed their authority.

Kendrick picked up his phone. “I’m commissioning Peter to create a low sugar version of those truffles you like.”

Kyran turned to him. “Why did I never…”

Caiden held up his hand, then turned to Kendrick. “I thought we were far enough away from the city to avoid being influenced by the towers.”

Kendrick sighed. “I’m not one-hundred percent sure this is the tower. It’s another reason why I’m spoiling Meryn so much. Right now, I’m relying on her to see clearly.”

Mikel looked just as stunned as everyone felt. “The Witches’ Council was fine when I was a child,” he said.

Caiden looked over to Kendrick. “It was around the time you moved to Storm Keep, when Keelan was a baby. That’s when they started making decisions in line with the Academy who really began to push testing.

If your entire social structure is based on a test score that determines your job, then those handing out the scores hold the power. ”

“How does that work anyway? You get a score, then they match you up to job offers?” Meryn asked.

Marshall tilted his head. “Sort of. Every witch is tested on three criteria. Power, accuracy and for lack of a better term, staying power.”

Meryn smirked.

He cleared his throat and continued. “A young witch will develop an elemental affinity and begin training with either family or the Academy. They will learn meditation techniques to clear their minds and focus, this helps both the accuracy and stamina.”

“What helps the power part?” Meryn asked.

Kendrick placed a hand to his chest. “It’s what you’re born with. Let us use Kincaid as an example. He recently had his third power come online.”

Caiden held up his hand. “Forget to add that in your update?”

Kendrick waved him off. “He’s fine, safely tucked away in éire Danu.” He turned back to Meryn. “Anyway. Imagine Kincaid having three bowls of magic. By virtue of having three powers, he would test mid to high depending on how much of each he had.”

“Like, he wouldn’t score as high if he had little sauce bowls, but would test higher if he had like big ass cereal bowls?” Meryn asked.

Kendrick blinked. “Are cereal bowls really that big?”

“Kendrick, cereal bowls are always the biggest bowl you have clean in the house,” Hunter clarified.

Meryn pointed at him and nodded.

Kendrick shrugged accepting the explanation and continued. “Right, so if a person has really big bowls, they’ll have a higher power score, but if they can’t summon it correctly or use it reliably, then their overall score will be low.”

“Didn’t Kincaid use his new air power and fire to make cauterizing wind scythes? That would be power and accuracy, right?” Meryn asked.

His father sat forward looking excited. “He did what now?”

Thane drew his finger across his neck. “A lasso too, decapitated our enemies in swaths.”

Zev whistled. “No wonder he’s in éire Danu. The Witches’ Council would spend weeks testing him.”

Kendrick nodded. “Exactly Meryn. That shows a depth of magic and focus. Now, take Serenity as an example. She’s scored fairly well but was lacking in power.

The Witches’ Council doesn’t take into account added racial benefits.

So, while she can do absolutely mind-boggling things when it comes to healing, her general use of her magic is average. ”

Meryn scrunched her nose. “But I don’t have power or focus,” she paused when Law snorted. “Why does Thane think I have magic?”

Kendrick sat back. “Every witch has some form of elemental magic, it’s what makes us witches.

But not every witch has what we call higher powers.

Empathy, premonition, telekinesis or even telepathy.

These abilities are seen as gifts, even amongst witches.

” He pointed to Caiden. “He is like Keelan, an air witch with some powers of premonition.”

“But all I have done so far is have like one vision and had some stupid feelings. I wanna blow stuff up like Zoe,” Meryn complained.

Kendrick exhaled loudly. “Meryn, the higher powers are usually in addition to an elemental power. The fact that you have shown an aptitude in two, probably means you have an elemental power, somewhere in there,” he said, pointing at her.

Meryn looked down at her chest. “You see any sparks or something? Anything that’s like a hint?”

“Meryn, I have been watching you like a hawk since we met, if you had shown even the slightest blip of power, I would have started your lessons immediately,” Kendrick said.

“I hope she gets earth powers like us,” Neil said.

Thane rubbed his jaw. “I see her more as a fire witch. She is inclined to want to blow things up.”

Caiden felt his watch vibrate. He stood and went to the front door. Swinging it open he found the new Sigma unit leader on his doorstep. “Just in time for some dinner. We have a soundproofing spell up, so let’s swing through the kitchen for your plate.”

Heath stepped inside holding a box and a large bag. “I appreciate it. I shamelessly conned King Darian into opening a portal for me since I have gifts for Meryn, but there is still a drive getting here and I missed dinner in éire Danu since I was packing.”

Caiden placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s good to have you here.”

“Good to be where I’m needed,” Heath replied.

Caiden showed him to the kitchen and let him make a plate. He carried Meryn’s gifts so Heath could carry his dinner and they walked into the dining room, through the soundproofing spell.

“Heath! You’re here,” Meryn said, looking excited.

“Of course I’m here. I had to bring your snacks and gift,” Heath said, pointing to Caiden.

Caiden walked around the table and placed both on the table next to Meryn.

She immediately dove into her snacks. “Yes! Leon made me pinwheels! Those things are addicting. Oh! And Aeson remembered I loved his pierogis!” She picked up the box and smelled it. “Fae cinnamon!” She opened it. "Kendrick, did you order me low sugar snickerdoodles?”

“Yes, I remember you saying they’re a favorite,” he replied.

Meryn crammed the last of her steak in her mouth, visibly having trouble chewing and breathing as she opened the container for the pierogis. Seconds later she swallowed, then began devouring her new snack.

Zev stared. “I thought I could put food away.”

Meryn spoke unintelligibly, mouth full, then just pointed to her belly.

“She is eating for two,” Lily said, interpreting Meryn’s grunts.

“You are woefully missed at home, Your Highness. Both our current and former queen seem a bit low without you,” Heath informed them.

Meryn picked up her phone and took a selfie with her mouth open showing her half-chewed food. Laughing to herself, she tapped for a second, then put her phone down.

“She’s a princess?” Hunter asked, incredulously.

Bryok spoke kindly, but firmly. “A beloved princess.”

Meryn swallowed her food. “Be nice or I’ll tell Graham you’re bullying me. And I’ll have Amelia tell your mom you’re calling me names,” she threatened.

Hunter shuddered. “I swear I didn’t mean anything by it, please by all the gods, don’t tell my mother.”

“You’re more afraid of your mom than your brother?”

“Absolutely,” he replied, nodding emphatically.

Meryn grinned. “I heard she likes my big-sister cousin.”

Hunter’s answering smile was bright. “Like? She loves her little Amy.” He pointed to his chest. “Ma only had boys, so when Caiden asked her to help homeschool his little sister, she was over the moon. Amelia let her do things like have tea parties and go shopping. We all love her dearly for making our Ma happy.”

Meryn’s phone chirped and she looked at it. “They’re both laughing now,” she told Heath and flipped her phone to show her aunt and cousin were making faces in a selfie, that had Cord throttling Brennus in the background, both of the men smiling wide.

Heath shook his head. “You’re a true blessing Meryn.”

“That word has been used a lot for me today,” she observed.

Heath placed a finger on his lips. “I’ve been entrusted with a secret from our Queen Amelia, do you want to know?”

Meryn’s eyes widened and she nodded.

Heath stood and went to Meryn, kneeling and casting a soundproofing spell of his own. He whispered in her ear.

Caiden saw instantly the excited reaction Meryn had to the news. Though soundproofed, they could all see she squealed at whatever Heath shared.

Heath stood and waved off his smaller soundproofing bubble, leaving Meryn bouncing and vibrating in her seat. She picked up her phone and tapped furiously.

Heath sat back down, a very satisfied smile on his face.

Seconds later Meryn’s phone chirped again, and she threw her fist in the air. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She bounced up and down repeatedly then held up her phone showing a Facetime call. “We’re all here,” Meryn said, angling the phone so the whole table was visible.

Caiden saw his baby sister in the phone smiling back at him. “Hey, baby girl!”

A moment later Darian’s face joined hers, squished on the screen. “Okay, hun, tell them.”

Amelia grinned from ear to ear. “We found out today, we’re having a girl,” she announced.

“What!” was the repeated, happy shout that went around the table.

Amelia dabbed at her eyes. “I wanted Meryn to hear first,” she said, looking at her parents.

“Sweetheart, we couldn’t care less who you tell first, we’re both beyond excited at the prospect of a granddaughter,” Lily said, lifting her napkin to her eyes.

His father looked gobsmacked. “A baby girl, I mean, another baby girl,” he said.

“Royal nugget is a princess nugget!” Meryn crowed.

“Meryn, quit calling my baby a nugget,” Amelia chided laughingly.

“No way. Beth’s baby is Jack, and your baby is Royal Nugget.” Meryn turned in her chair to face Ryuu on her knees. “Ryuu, we need gifts!”

The squire placed a hand on his chest. “Of course, denka , I will arrange gifts for your future niece immediately.”

“Uncle Bren!” Meryn yelled, into her phone, causing Amelia to disappear as she pulled the phone away.

A moment later Brennus appeared laughing. “What is it darling?”

“Can we make a matching fae baby blanket for Amelia too? Like the one my dad made me?” she asked.

Behind Brennus, they heard, Amelia repeating the word, ‘Oh!’

Brennus looked over his shoulder and shook his head. “Of course we can. You made your big-sister cousin cry, you know,” he said.

Meryn shrugged. “She cries at the drop of a hat nowadays, better get her a Gatorade or something, she’s probably dehydrated.”

“I am not Meryn!” they heard Amelia yell in the background.

Caiden looked down the table and his brothers were all shooting looks back and forth amongst themselves. He knew that between the six of them, that their niece would want for nothing. They were already planning gifts.

Kyran turned to him and pointed up. Caiden nodded. They would have to redecorate Amelia’s room for when their niece visited.

“We’ll let you go so we can get Amelia settled. Call us if you need anything,” Brennus said, raising an eyebrow. “Anything,” he repeated.

“Night y’all,” Meryn said and ended the call. She looked out around the table then brought out her laptop. “Gotta update my second generation tab.” She opened her laptop and began typing.

“A what tab?” Tristan asked.

“My second-generation tab. I’m starting early, especially if I’m going to be an Auntie. I have to keep track of things like birthdays, favorite colors, clothing sizes and weapon preferences.”

Aiden looked down at her screen. “You’ll let me use that too, right?”

“Of course,” she replied. “Vivi, Beth and Amelia are having girls and Rheia is having a boy.” She became thoughtful. “Maybe we should have a boy to even things out.”

“As you once told me, the man determines the sex and I did my part months ago,” Aiden reminded her.

Heath pointed to her belly. “Did you want to know?” he asked.

Meryn covered her stomach with both hands. “Can you see them?”

Heath stared, then shook his head. “Not very well. I think they’re sideways.”

“We’ll wait,” she said. “We’ve come this far, might as well.”

Aiden kissed her head. “All I want is for both of you to be healthy.”

“Actually Meryn, Keelan showed me a dream where I had triplet boys, so technically, you and Kari could even things out,” Anne said.

Meryn stared. “Three?”

Anne nodded. “Not sure when though.”

Kendrick looked at his mate with the softest expression Caiden had ever seen on the man. “I can’t wait,” he said.

Meryn eyed Kendrick. “So, like magic is amplified with multiple births, like with Nigel and Neil huh?”

Kendrick nodded absently.

“And you have like, all four elemental powers, right?” she continued.

Kendrick’s smiled faded slowly and he turned to look at Meryn.

She smirked at him. “You want in on those safety bubbles Gavriel wants Broderick to design? Better start now if you’re going to need three of them. And probably nannies that can do all the elements like Ame and Yuki. Dude, your kids are going to be a riot!”

Anne waved her hand at Meryn, laughing. “You’re just mean.”

Kendrick picked up his phone. “Gavriel, about those safety bubbles.”

Caiden enjoyed every second of his best friend’s blind panic as was his gods given right.